Hewlett-Packard executives are mulling plans to improve over the next 18 months the technology the company uses to manage its direct sales, while it continues with commercial printing efforts and acquisitions of software companies. Two weeks ago, HP CEO Mark Hurd, the company's board of directors and senior executives gathered at the computer giant's annual management retreat to discuss long-term strategies.

I didn't read the article (mistake #1, no doubt), but is 18 months suddenly "long-term" now? Haven't all those high-priced MBA folks learned that killing your company for short-term quarterly profits (to rake in those outstanding bonuses) isn't a good strategy?